You reckon they don't know where you live already?
A bunch of guys...mostly white caucasians wearing white shirts with epaulets riding in company vehicles might just give you away don't you think?
You also probably take the exact same route to work and back each day and probably go at the same times each day.
If they want you....they can get you and the way they will do it will be either while you are in transit to/from work or in the middle of the night when they attack your compound. That is the sad truth. (IMHO)
Whilst you're quite possibly right about the knowledge of where we live, we don't wear epaulettes to work and company vehicles these days carry no company markings. We have some leeway in variations of route and timings and most companies have armed escort vehicles.
The thing about the pics is valid as many camps and estates have differing degrees of security, some including sangars with automatic weapons and varying numbers of armed security personnel along with other measures best not discussed on an open forum.
If they want you specifically, they can probably get you, but if they just want any oyibo they may well prefer to go for one less well protected to save becoming casualties themselves. The weaker are more likely to become casualties in reality. Naturally they'll attack supposedly well defended oil company locations in the swamp because that gives maximum publicity with maximum economic damage to the government. It's one of the risks one accepts to get the big bucks - not
Thanks for the photos. I can understand and appreciate the Operational Security (OPSEC) surrounding the bases and probably know better to ask. However, the general photos are nice and appreciable. My intent was to get a general understanding/description of the living/working conditions in Africa. At some point I should just probably speak with someone over the phone rather than open it up to the world on the Net.
Owner of the business firm that has been doing modernization work on five Control Towers in Nigeria has been arrested. There is some suggestion the bidding was rigged as his firm had the "highest price" but yet got the contract.
Would anyone be willing to give me some info on Bristow; good, bad or ugly? How the company is, the jobs and compensation? Either here or e-mail is fine.
Loav8r - that is no way to refer to your potential future workmates but looking at Biggestboys photos of some of the Escravos "Chapter" - I can appreciate your concerns.
pm me if you want some contact details!
Entire Chevron Nigeria is on strike at the moment so not much going on!
Anyone got any good rumours about when strike will finish? We heard agreement is close but strikers want the weekend off before making any decisions!
You are correct. There was at least one American (me) that got the unfortunate call the other morning. I had just resigned my position with my current company to dedicate some serious study time to the CHC Ops Manuals in preparation for the move, trained my own replacement, and then the call.
Really sucks, but I am looking at it in a positive light, as best I can. Perhaps I can get some additional training in that makes me even more competitive in the market.
Things could be getting a bit warmer in the Delta. The US Consulate General has issued the following warning for all US citizens:
U.S. Consulate General LAGOS
NIGERIA
June 26, 2008
Warden Message
Attention all American citizens:
American citizens are reminded that according to recent press reports Niger Delta militants may plan to escalate their activities in regions beyond their previous primary target areas in the Niger Delta region. Possible targets could include expatriate personnel, Western businesses or facilities and locales visited by tourists and foreigners in other regions of Nigeria. We continue to advise all Americans to review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, and report any specific incidences of targeted violence toward U.S. citizens or facilities. For telephone numbers for Embassy in Abuja or the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos see last paragraph. You may also email the Abuja Consular Section at: or the Lagos Consular Section at:
Zalt,
The figure I hear on the grapevine is at least expat 15 pilots from here to go . Meanwhile they're hiring a few national pilots who are leaving Bristow. Quite a few of the Bristow guys I talk to are now seriously looking elsewhere, so maybe some of the CHC surplus will end up with Bristow - though I think there could well be a shortage unless the present escalating unrest causes some of the oil majors to think seriously about cutting back on Nigerian operations . The up and coming places seem to be Angola, Libya, Ghana, Morocco and Algeria, but I doubt they'll need helicopters in numbers like Nigeria has. Who knows, if that post about Caverton getting some 412s is not actually just a wind up maybe they'll have a queue of expats outside their door
Location: Still on some west coast...but a bit further south
Age: 38
Posts: 510
An Austrian arrested?!?
I actually find this highly amusing that an austrian contractor has been arrested in Nigeria for scamming its government out of its pants. I want more of that. Usually it is the other way around
This Avsatel does not even have a website...con artist!!!
I here that our old chief Carl may be going to work in India. There is a company there with many Bell 412s and the boss is an ex Bristow man (David Hayler). If that is true I hope he'll come and tell us here if it is any good even though it is not in Africa. Many of we the dregs are digging a tunel of escape . Not that it matter to Bristow because management in Lagos says they have plenty off pilots and long waiting lists to come to our beautiful hotel . Well, we will see.
Lagos management always has piles of resume's and long, long, lines of people beating the door down begging to hire on. They have said that for thirty years now....why change? Of course they just skip right over the facts while doing so!
How many aircraft set idle due to no bums in seats in the past?
PeeWee and the Majah can snap their fingers and make things happen.....right?
that is no way to refer to your potential future workmates but looking at Biggestboys photos of some of the Escravos "Chapter" - I can appreciate your concerns.
Opps
Just trying to get both sides of the story. No offense.
. Meanwhile they're hiring a few national pilots who are leaving Bristow. Quite a few of the Bristow guys I talk to are now seriously looking elsewhere, so maybe some of the CHC surplus will end up with Bristow - though I think there could well be a shortage unless the present escalating unrest causes some of the oil majors to think seriously about cutting back on Nigerian operations 
An Austrian arrested?!?
. I want more of that. Usually it is the other way around
. Well, we will see.
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